Parking Brake Help!

[jmanders]

I just replaced the rotors, calipers, pads, and blead the breaks and everything worked fine until I tried the e-brake. I thought maybe it needed to be tightened so I did that from the center console but that didn't do anything. Is there something on the caliper I have to tighter or something else I have to do? Thanks

[freaknMaxima]

I am not a brake expert, but I have changed a few in my days. First check to see if the e-brake had tension in it when you lift the handle. If it does not then check the rear brakes and trace the e-brake line to make sure it has not rusted and broken from the rear. If you don't use it often they will rust, seize and break. If the line is not rusted or broken then check the the the shoes and ensure the springs are correctly placed. Usually we don't put it back correctly and the e-brake won't work. There is not much to the e-brakes. Trace the lines and the shoes, you should find the problem. Good Luck

[loystock]

I'm assuming that you have checked the front parking brake cable connection to the main parking brake lever.

Make sure the parking brake cable is connected properly to the rear brake assembly (lever, spring, etc.). Trace the parking cable from the rear going forward. If Ok and the parking brake cables are intact (1 front, 2 rear), then the rear cables could have been disconnected from the front cable (joint is at the center of the undercarriage).

[jmanders]

Everything looks good, when I pull the parking brake lever the spring moves but the caliper does not close is there a diagram some where I could look at just to make sure I have it hooked up correctly

[loystock]

Here's the link to the 97 Maxima FSM Brake System.

http://www.nicoclub.com/FSM/maxima/1997/BR.pdf

[jmanders]

Everything looks good the calipers i got were refurbished from pepboys would it be possible that both of them have problems?

[loystock]

It would be hard to diagnose without seeing it. Here's a YouTube posting by "boredmder" regarding rear brake replacement on Maxima that also show the parking brake connection.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVpCsrfeV9k

[jmanders]

Thanks for the vid but I have everything done right unless somehow bleeding the brakes could have mess it up. I don't see how that would affect the e-brake though. If I can't get it working soon I'll take it to a shop. Need it for the snow!

[Nelsito65]

Could it be that you did not put the parking brake lever back the way is supposed to be on both sides? IIRC, it can be a little bit tricky.